The Sensory Experimentation Workshops in Audiovisual Media (TESMA) are a pedagogical alternative designed by Extraliminal Productions to bring art and cinematographic techniques to regions where there is no professional training offer in film and audiovisual production. Participants are introduced to the different stages of filmmaking: idea, scriptwriting, pre-production, production, post-production, and exhibition, in continuous sessions filled with exchange and maximum intensity.

Our program:

TESMA workshops are short-duration and high-intensity workshops where we introduce participants, with or without experience, to the making of at least one fiction short film following these steps:

1. Idea: We will hold an initial workshop on writing Storyline and Synopsis to gather the first ideas for the short film. Ideas are shared, and the two best ones, determined by voting, will begin to be scripted.
2. Workshop on Narrative Arcs, archetypes, and genres: We will review with examples and bibliography the different variations of a narrative arc, archetypal themes and considerations, the 5 components of the story, plot twists, turning points, characters, and archetypes. This workshop will refine the synopses and compose them into a narrative arc of 3 acts.
3. Script: Writing techniques, progressions, plot, dialogues. Here, we will give substance to our arcs and stories following the technical premises of screenwriting until we have two short film scripts to be considered by the production team.
4. Pre-production: With the selected story/stories, we will hold express workshops for each area of production, aiming for participants to join and form teams according to their interests and skills. We will conduct workshops on:

a) Production: Script breakdown, budgeting, scouting, technical visits, and management formats and models.

b) Direction: We will explore different staging techniques and characterization of both trained and untrained actors. In addition to immersing ourselves in cinematographic language, we will cover shots, compositions, progressions, and technical script (together with photography).

c) Photography: Lighting and composition techniques and styles. Equipment, lenses, camera, color, and texture.

d) Sound: Sound capture techniques and priorities.

e) Art Direction and Set Design: Color palette, set design, wardrobe, and character characterization.

5. Production: With teams formed, locations selected, and technical script, we will begin shooting the short film(s) (depending on the case and budget scope).
6. Post-production: This will be a theoretical-practical stage where introductory workshops on the different stages of post-production of a fiction short film will be conducted while the product is being crafted:

a) Introduction to editing: Editing styles and techniques. A brief overview of the history of cinema.

b) Sound editing, introduction to sound design: Styles, sensations, and sound intentions.

c) Color grading: Introduction to color techniques and psychology.

d) Musicalization: Introduction to musicalization and the importance of music in cinema.

7. Exhibition: The workshop will conclude with the premiere of the short film(s) made during the workshop. The premiere will be held as a gala and will conclude with the delivery of participation certificates.

background

Over the years, we have developed different versions of TESMA, providing an approach to filmmaking for children, youth, and adults from indigenous, Afro-descendant, rural, and semi-urban populations. To this day, several students who have gone through TESMA have chosen audiovisual and filmmaking as a way of life, fulfilling the main objective of our pedagogical process, namely, democratizing the approach to audiovisual production.

To date, we have conducted 6 applications of TESMA:

• Roldanillo, Valle del Cauca (2014): An 8-day workshop with variable intensity, aimed at young students and professionals from INTEP (Instituto de Formación Técnica y Profesional) in Roldanillo.
• Roldanillo, Valle del Cauca (2013): A 15-day workshop with 8 hours of daily intensity, with children, youth, and adults belonging to the artistic and pedagogical processes carried out by the Museo Rayo Foundation in the region, with the participation of the Secretariat of Participation and Social Development of the Government of Valle del Cauca.
• El Águila, Valle del Cauca (2012): A 10-day workshop with 8 hours of daily intensity, aimed at young women, social leaders, revolving around youth public policies in Valle del Cauca. This workshop was produced in collaboration with Conecta2 and the Secretariat of Participation and Social Development of the Government of Valle del Cauca.
• Yumbo, Valle del Cauca (2010): A 10-day workshop spaced over a month and a half, with high intensity during filming, open to the youth of the municipality, and conducted in collaboration with the Municipal Institute of Culture of the municipality.
• Zapallo Grande, Emerald Coast, Ecuador (2009): A 6-month workshop with a daily intensity of 3 hours, conducted with children from the Chachi indigenous communities and Maroon Afro-descendants of the island. This workshop aimed to obtain the community’s perspective on medical research processes extended in the area for more than 20 years. It was funded by the British Welcome Trust and supported by the National Program for the Elimination of Onchocerciasis in Ecuador.
• Toro, Valle del Cauca (2007): A 1-month workshop aimed at high school seniors in the municipality, funded as part of the activities of the National Artists’ Salon scholarship for the project «Así Narra el Fotógrafo» by Ana María Castro.

If you want to learn more or organize a TESMA in your community, do not hesitate to contact us.